Binge Impulses

OK - so lately I've been feeling these binge impulses. I was a binger before surgery. Today, I ate my recommended amount of lunch, and I wasn't satisfied, so I ate my protein bar 20 minutes later. This filled me up and made me feel satisfied and slightly too full. I'm afraid that my old hunger is returning and I won't be able to control it. I have some days where I don't feel like eating at all, then these days when I can't eat enough? How do you all not cave into these binge impulses? Thoughts have been consuming my day today. I've already eaten 800 calories and it's only 5:30PM here. I am not grazing, I'm just eating too much volume in a sitting.

If I really, really just want to munch a lot, I might eat something like raw carrots, or some popcorn, or some sliced apple, something I can eat a lot of without getting too many calories and something that involves lots of chewing.

Sometimes I chew sugar free gum.

Sometimes I try drinking a LOT.  Hot drinks often feel more satisfying to me than cold drinks at these times.  If hot tea doesn't do it, sometimes I make no sugar added hot cocoa and put a spoonful of fat free cool whip on top.  It takes a while to drink it and it feels like a dessert.

These are great ideas, Kelly. Thank You. I am addicted to my Quest Protein bars in Double Chocolate Chunk and Chocolate Brownie, so this is what I have been craving. I will definitely try your ideas. I'm really afraid that so soon after my surgery these old cravings/impulses are returning. Thank You!!

I realize a carrot stick is not really a good substitute for a chocolate brownie.  But maybe something will work.

Something else that helps me sometimes is just reminding myself that cravings are not an emergency.

I'm sorry you are feeling the urge to binge!  I wanted to pose a question, though.  Did you feel this urge before you started eating the quest bars?  I'm just asking because I wonder if the addition of these bars into your diet is actually triggering cravings for the bars or something sweeter.  I purposefully stay away from protein bars because they try to mimic desserts.  Instead, I've been trying to "retrain" myself to like other things that are a better choice for me.  Just a thought!

Hi Hanslillady - I think that you are totally correct. I didn't have these cravings until I started eating these darn bars - now I think that I need to wean myself off of them. I carry one in my purse in case I am out and need some food, but eat them at home where I have other food choices. I guess I need to work on reducing my intake to see if these cravings go away again. Thanks!!

I have had the same issue with these types if bars in the past. I really think that if it's truly once in a while, it's harmless but when it becomes a go-to, it's a problem because it is not real food and doesn't satisfy like real food.

I carry ready to eat tuna in my purse just in case. It packs just as much protein and keeps you filled up for so much fewer calories. And I've never had a craving for tuna lol

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ha Ha Great advice. Will need to get that tuna!!

I have copied and pasted your reply so i can have it those times I need it, thank you

I think changing your schedule might help.Try somethings you do.Instead of eating maybe drink something.